Hairpin



Nov. 4, 1941. E. G. SWAN 2,261,311

HAIRPIN Filed Dec. 6, 1939 v Z 0km EigyZQkSwak Patented Nov. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAIRPVIN Emry G. Swan, Worcester, Mass. 7 Application December 6, 1939, Serial No. 307,856

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a hair pin of a new and superior design.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a hair pin of a self-locking-nature to keep it in the position in which it is set and provide it with resistance against falling out; to provide means whereby thehair pin cannot become loose or drop out; to provide means whereby the hair pin can be removed without disturbing the hair by giving it a quarter turn before starting to withdraw it; to provide a hair pin of such construction that it will be invisible when placed in the hair; to provide a construction which will be inexpensive to the user because of nonreplacementj to provide aconstruction which is simple to manufacture; to provide a construction which requires only minor readjustments in existing equipment for manufacturing, thus reducing the cost of manufacture, and to provide a construction which will be profitable as well as useful.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation on enlarged scale of a hair pin constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an edge View of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig.

Fig. 4 is a view of the loop end showing a modification; and

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing another modification.

This invention comprises a hair pin with a loop end l0 which is larger at one end than at the other end, the smaller end being located a little past the center of the pin as a whole. This construction, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5 creates a compressive action on a lock of hair lodged at the small end of the pin so that the hair is forced up towards the large end, i. e., or the pin is forced into the hair. The small or contractive end of the loop is terminated by two members ll extending sharply towards each other, as shown in Fig. 1 to form angles with respect to the length of the pin of approximately 72, more or less, for the purpose of locking the pin in place in the hair. It will be obvious that these bends ll being approximately at a 72 angle to the length of the pin, prevent the easy detachment of the pin from the hair and particularly prevent accidental dropping out of the pin from the original position in which it is placed, be-

cause the bends II form a continuous obstruction for the hair, this obstruction being at substantially a right angle to the length of the pin. It is to be noticed that the bends ll extend inwardly from opposite sides toward each other, as shown in Fig. 1, but preferably they do not come into contact; as shown in Fig.2, but are bent away from each other at approximately a 45 angle from the plane of the pin and extend to the points I2 as shown in the drawing. Again referring to Fig. 2, the two elements of the pin are bent back towards each' other in a gentle curve and then cross at the point I 4 still, however, without touching. This construction provides a generally pear-shaped space l5 between the elements of the pin. The prongs I3 are again returned to the plane of the pin, as shown in Fig. 3. The easy curve of the two prongs I3 results in an easy introduction of the pin into the hair. The pin is merely position, and the hair itself slightly spreads the prongs. Also, the gentle curve at l2 admits the hair easily past the point l4 and since the bends II are not in contact, the hair is thus admitted into the loop I0 where it will be urged towards the larger end of the loop. Withdrawal will meet with resistance due to the fact that the two prongs cross each other and that the bends ll form a trap at right angles to the length of the pin, and this resistance is necessary to prevent accidental displacement when the pin is put in to keep the hair in place. In order to withdraw the pin without disturbing the hair, it has to be twisted a quarter of the way around before starting to withdraw it. If the pin is twisted the way it naturally would. go on withdrawal, it will be found that the coilfure will not be displaced. In other words, the pin itself will come out without disturbing the hair at this point, when it is desired to take out the pin but will not fall out after it has been set in place. This results in a point of utility of the pin as it can be put in and taken out without disturbing the hair and that can be done frequently without displacing the hair.

The pin is set in place by pushing it in full length and on account of its construction, the pointed tip, will be invisible in the hair. It involves great economy as the pin cannot become lost and fall out as is frequently the case with ordinary pins, and it is economical to manufacture as the construction and design are so simple and only minor adjustments are required in the usual equipment for manufacturing. It

positively holds the hair in position and is easily put in and removed at will.

This hair pin is particularly valuable in beauty salons, especially after the hair has been shampooed and waved. After this is done the hair is combed out and dressed by the operator. Then each wave and curl is pinned in place. If this is not done the hair is so soft it would fall out of line and require resetting. If the ordinary hair pin is used the same condition exists as these pins fall out and the hair gets out of place very easily. Also the pins become lost and others have to be put in and usually at the risk of pulling the waves out of place. Frequently the hair has to be redressed by the operator the next day or look unsightly until the next time it is washed and waved. With this new invention, when the operator dresses the hair in the first place and uses the hair pin shown in this application, the pin stays in place, thus keeping the hair in place and does not become lost. Much time is saved on the part of the operator and the person using the pin. After the hair has set" the pins can be removed and the hair combed and these same pins can be used to keep the hair in place.

This hair pin can be made in various sizes, colors and even proportions. Ordinarily, it is made of metal wire, but it can be made of Celluloid or other light springy material.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a hair pin having a plane loop end and medial inwardly directed bends, said bends extending sharply towards each other to form a trap for enclosed hair, and crossing each other, short portions of the bends at the crossing being almost parallel, said bends also being reversed in long gentle curves below said trap and recrossing to form a second trap, the portions of said bends between the two traps being additionally bent away from each other in directions at substantial angles to the plane of the loop.

2. As an article of manufacture, a hair pin having a loop end and medial inwardly directed bends, said bends extending sharply towards each other, and crossing in the vicinity of 72 to the length of the pin, forming a trap substantially at right angles to the length of the pin, said bends also being reversed in long gentle curves below said trap and recrossing to form a second trap, the bends of said first trap being bent out of the plane of the pin, so that said traps form a three-dimensional loop therebetween.

3. As an article of manufacture, a hair pin having a loop, said loop being wide at its closed end and narrow at the other end, means beyond the narrow end of the loop in a direction away from the wide end to prevent ready removal of the pin from the hair, the narrow end of the loop comprising means to compress and tend to force a tress of hair toward the wide closed end of the loop.

4. As an article of manufacture, a wire hair pin having a loop end and medial inwardly directed bends, said bends extending sharply towards each other and crossing in nearly parallel relation thus forming a trap substantially straight and transverse of the loop, said bends being reversed in long gradual curves below said trap and recrossing to form a second trap.

EMRY G. SWAN. 

